With new OC Brian Daboll, Alabama could feature tight ends

Barely two months have passed since Alabama lost to Clemson in the national title game. But spring practice is right around the corner. It starts March 21. AL.com takes a look at where the Crimson Tide stands in each position group as the offseason begins in earnest. The fourth in a nine-part series examines the team's tight ends.

In theory, the loss of tight end O.J. Howard should sting Alabama. Howard is projected to be a first-round pick in the NFL, and after his performance at the scouting combine earlier this month there is little doubt he has the stuff to succeed at the highest level.

But Howard was just merely a cog in Alabama's machine during his career in Tuscaloosa that will be remembered for his standout performances in each of the two CFP national title games against Clemson. Last season, he averaged three catches per game and blocked on 58 percent of his 811 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Fans can now only wonder what Howard could have done if he had been featured more in the Tide's offense or if he had the opportunity to play under new coordinator Brian Daboll.

Daboll most recently coached tight ends for the New England Patriots -- a team that turned Rob Gronkowski into a star and once shredded teams on the reg with 12 personnel when Aaron Hernandez was still a free man.

The arrival of Daboll could spell more opportunities for Miller Forristall and Hale Hentges.

To the surprise of many, Forristall emerged as a contributor as a freshman. He made a pivotal catch in the only touchdown drive in Alabama's victory at LSU last November. Forristall closely resembles an "F" tight end because he resembles a receiver. Hale Hentges is a "Y," filling the more traditional role of an in-line blocker.

Together, both of them should see the field plenty, and the formation Alabama uses will dictate how each is deployed.

The question is whether freshmen Major Tennison and Kedrick James can replicate what Forristall did and make an impact in their first year on campus. Both James and Tennison stand 6-5 and are one inch shorter than Howard is. They are the newest additions to a position group loaded with talent.

But it may take them a while to occupy the same rarefied territory where Howard now stands.